Escort deadline approaching

IF you think you have what it takes to be an Escort at this year's Rose of Tralee then you have until this Friday to register your interest and be in with a chance to secure a spot at the heart of the action during the festival in August.

IF you think you have what it takes to be an Escort at this year's Rose of Tralee then you have until this Friday to register your interest and be in with a chance to secure a spot at the heart of the action during the festival in August.

Due to unexpected levels of demand the deadline for applications to be an escort was extended but that deadline is set to pass this Friday.

The organisers are especially keen to get as many Kerry men as possible involved and anyone interested has until Friday to apply online. Escorts must be aged between 21 and 30 and they can apply by logging on to www.roseoftralee.ie/escorts.

Derek Leen, pictured, from Ballyduff, who was the Escort to the Wicklow Rose Sarah Whelan in 2013, encouraged as many Kerry men as possible to apply.

"I urge you, if you know of anyone who you think is made for this, or think this would be great fill out the application. I can hand on heart say that it is the best thing I've ever done," he said.